Grikiltha starts laughing, "Did you say you call yourself the wiskered gang? Ha ha Oh was furballs taken." Continuing to laugh, she says "and people take you seriously when you tell them that." She starts to slow down her laughter and wipes at her eye, "Ah man I need a good chuckle. I don't know how you can say that with a straight face."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Nigel offers the sending stone, Drako tries to position himself towards the front of the group. Ostensibly to pass on the stone, but tactically to try putting himself between the wererats and the others. He wonders if the offer may have diplomatic potential when Grikiltha starts laughing. He had to admit the half-orc had a point about the gang's name. Bahamut forgive me if I start laughing along he thinks, while readying for the advent of combat.
12 10 or less he starts chuckling along with Grikiltha with a draconic rumble, though trying (but failing) to stifle it. 11 or more, no laughing
[[ I find it amusing that Nigel and Pinja are trying diplomatic avenues. Darien and Drako are like "Eh there's probably a fight coming, but let's see how this plays out." And then Grikiltha is just like,
The second wererat's face flushes with embarrassment, her annoyance clear as she glares at Grikiltha. She clenches her jaw, her eyes flashing with anger as she tries to mask her humiliation. Turning her furious gaze to Nigel, she snaps, "Enough with the jokes! Toss me that stone, now! I'll take it to the boss myself." Her voice is a mixture of rage and desperation, trying to regain control of the situation.
Meanwhile, the first wererat bites her lip, struggling to hold in her laughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement at her companion's predicament.
Nigel:
Assuming you toss them one of the sending stones, tell me what is the message you'll send their leader. [Assume you are told she has received it.]
"Understood. I feel like we owe the owners an explanation, at least. I'll come out with some of my crew. Armed."
Zeleen Varnaster emerges from the mine, her demeanor a blend of caution and authority. She doesn't look older than thirty, with piercing blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, the left side of which is shaved. The claw mark scars on her left cheek hint at a violent past. Five other wererats in their hybrid forms flank her, their eyes scanning the group warily. Zeleen's weapons are at her side, within easy reach.
As she approaches, she speaks in a calm, measured tone, "I apologize for the rude behavior of my subordinates." She nods towards the group, offering a slight, respectful bow. "I am Zeleen Varnaster."
She takes a deep breath before continuing, "Look, I know what this is about. But this mine is the only home we have now. Not more than a tenday ago, a group of raiding orcs busted into our hideout south of Conyberry town. With nowhere to go, I decided we stay here instead. Can you really blame us for taking a mine when our home was stolen from us? It's not like wererats are welcome in society, anyways."
As she speaks, a deep sadness washes over her expression, her eyes momentarily reflecting the pain of displacement and rejection. The wererats behind her, sharing in her sorrow, sniffle and get teary-eyed. Zeleen quickly composes herself, straightening up and maintaining her composed demeanor, her gaze steady on the group.
Zeleen and the other wererats are clearly putting on a pity-party to leverage as much sympathy as possible. Aside from the terrible acting, she is saying the truth so far. Though there's definitely more to this story.
Drako listens to the sob story put on by Zeleen. He tries to be diplomatic but is growing impatient with the wererats' subterfuge, "And surely the fact this is a literal gold mine didn't factor into your decisions at all, no?" he says being forthright. "Where are the miners?" he asks.
[[ If possible, since we're not in initiative, he'll take a dodge stance as he speaks. ]]
Pinja gives Nigel an appraising glance as everything unfolds, clearly impressed with his subterfuge skills. She can’t help but smile mirthfully at Grikiltha’s astute observations. She watches blankly as the wererats exit and their story unfolds. As their story finishes, her eyes narrow.
She nods as Drako speaks. Then adds ‘Seems a bit hypocritical to paint a sob story about loosing one’s home as justification for doing the same to the miners. Perhaps this is why you’re not really welcome into society…. Curiously, we came across some deceased orcs on our way here. Seems it might be best for you to vacate this mine and try to return home.’ She flashes a smile that shows her fangs.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Our good friend here makes a fair point. If you did displace the original occupants then your tale would be quite hypocritical. Which means no matter what we ask, you will be forced to tell us you have no idea what happened to the miners. Addmision puts us in a position of having to force you out again. Either in the moment or after alerting the proper authorities and returning en force. Now before you count numbers and wage odds you should know I've already sent word to all parties concerned. Now if we reach a satisfactory resolution here I will belay that message and you can go on about your lives in peace. So here is my proposal. The second point my friend made is we did discover some dead orc. So why don't you start by describing the orcs that forced you out and how a formidable force such as this was defeated in their own home."
Challenges Nigel.
Deception check to see if they believe Nigel sent word. 18
Zeleen clicks her tongue, her blue eyes narrowing slightly as she responds to Drako's question about the miners. "Look, dragonborn, I did what I had to do. The miners... well, they weren't hurt, if that's what you're worried about. We scared them off, made sure they ran without looking back. We needed a place to stay, and this mine was the closest thing to a shelter we could find." She pauses, her expression hardening. "Survival isn't pretty, but it's the reality we face."
Zeleen's demeanor shifts slightly, and she seems to avoid direct eye contact as she talks about the miners. A clear indication of deception.
To Pinja:
Zeleen's eyes flash with a mix of frustration and resignation as she listens to Pinja. "Hypocritical? Maybe. But desperate times call for desperate measures. We didn't ask for this life, and we sure didn't ask to be driven from our home by those orcs."
She takes a deep breath, trying to rein in her emotions. "We took the mine because we had nowhere else. If there's danger around, all the more reason to stay hidden where we are. If you have any better ideas, I'm all ears."
To Nigel:
Zeleen's expression hardens as she catches Nigel's lie, a glint of realization flickering in her eyes. She straightens up, her posture becoming more assertive, and she stops avoiding eye contact. With a resigned sigh, she says, "Well then, by your own admission, I guess there's no point in continuing this facade." Her voice is calm, but there’s a steely edge to it. "I really did try to resolve this without fighting."
She gestures to her wererats, who tense up, ready for a potential confrontation. "But if we’re going to be honest, this mine is the safest place we have right now. And we’re not leaving just because some adventurers showed up with half-truths and threats."
Initiative
Adventurers (YOUR TURNS)
Wererats
Zeleen has run inside the mines along with the female wererats.
All six wererats you're fighting are males armed with crossbows and shortswords.
Nigel cast Light so everyone should be able to see just fine.
As Zeleen speaks so dismissively of the displaced miners, Darien begins to get angry. The tattoo on his right arm grows warmer and warmer, until it's nearly burning to the touch, as if it wants out. It's all he can do to stay calm as Pinja and Nigel continue speaking to the woman, but when her soldiers surge forward, the half-elf is ready. As Drako summons a burst of thunder around the wererats, Darien extends his arm and the serpent moves, slithering down towards his hand and shooting out towards the soldiers as a line of nearly white-hot flame. Appearing in an explosion of fire the center of their group is a flaming snake, a hooded cobra nearly as thick as Darien's arm. Her tongue flicks out, tasting the air, as Darien shouts, "Zrava, to me!" The serpent's flames flare once more as it vanishes, reappearing just out of the wererats reach, and then slithers around Grikiltha to rest at Darien's side.
[[
A: Summon Wildfire Spirit to the tile in the middle of A, B, C, and F (10 ft. radius, 9 fire damage, DEX 13 save for none) (I think this misses both D and G but I think I need an open tile so it's a little different from shatter probably. If it gets one I would try to do the same one Drako hit)
BA: Fiery Teleportation (Creatures within 5 ft., 7 fire damage, DEX 13 save for none)
Zrava is teleporting NW (2 tiles diagonal = 15 ft.?) then using movement to reach Darien, who hasn't moved. If we aren't using that rule for diagonals, she will take one opportunity attack from C as she moves away.
Pinja winces as Drako casts shatter, then seems a bit confused as Darien lets loose his snake. She watches the explosion, giving Darien’s arm and burns an appraising look. As Grikiltha rush forward she moves to follow with a tottering, unsteady looking run. She strikes D with an oddly mesmerizing sequence of blows. First a jerky right jab, then an odd kick with her left foot, and finally ends with a sharp headbutt.
[unarmed strike + flurry of blows - spending 1ki point;
22 for the punch, damage 6
23 for the kick, damage 3
18 for the headbutt, damage 4 (is there more damage due to the horns?)
i’m a bit rusty, so please let me know if I’m doing this right?]
Archie explodes from the leaves of the tree from where he had been watching the crew jump into action. He swoops down at wererat D. He darts back and forth causing a distraction
Nigel pulls forth his spellbook from his sastchel as he moves east towards Archie's tree. As soon as he has a clear line of site to wererat D he extends his left arm holding the book as if he were a cleric preaching the words of the ancients. He fixes the rat with a withering glare and shouts..
The attack definitely hits the wererat and makes it bloodied!
Don-Jon Raskin:
Don-Jon Raskin had been watching the tense exchange between the adventurers and Zeleen with a thoughtful expression. He believed it was best to let the fledgling adventurers handle the situation, ready to step in only if things went awry. As the conversation took a hostile turn, and Nigel's chromatic orb struck a wererat, Don-Jon's resolve hardened. Without hesitation, he reached into his bag, pulling out a slingshot.
"Time to earn my keep," he mutters to himself, releasing the stone with a swift, smooth motion.
[ Sling to hit is a 16, dealing 3 points of damage to wererat D. ]
Wererat's Turn:
They've all suffered tremendously as a result of everyone's attacks, spells and abilities in general. They were not prepared for this show of strength, but the boss's orders are absolute.
Seeing Pinja at melee with one of their brethren, wererats D and B will gather around her to attack in unison.
Wererat D flanks with E: A 13 to hit for the bite, dealing 5 points of damage. And a 17 for the shortsword, dealing 8 points of damage.
Wererat E flanks with D: A 20 to hit for the bite, dealing 4 points of damage. And an 18 for the shortsword, dealing 5 points of damage.
Wererat B is not flanking: A 15 to hit for the bite, dealing 4 points of damage. And a 14 for the shortsword, dealing 5 points of damage.
If anyone has any reactios to help mitigate or prevent the damage being dealt, you may do so at this moment before anyone takes any further turns.
Grikiltha starts laughing, "Did you say you call yourself the wiskered gang? Ha ha Oh was furballs taken." Continuing to laugh, she says "and people take you seriously when you tell them that." She starts to slow down her laughter and wipes at her eye, "Ah man I need a good chuckle. I don't know how you can say that with a straight face."
As Nigel offers the sending stone, Drako tries to position himself towards the front of the group. Ostensibly to pass on the stone, but tactically to try putting himself between the wererats and the others. He wonders if the offer may have diplomatic potential when Grikiltha starts laughing. He had to admit the half-orc had a point about the gang's name. Bahamut forgive me if I start laughing along he thinks, while readying for the advent of combat.
12
10 or less he starts chuckling along with Grikiltha with a draconic rumble, though trying (but failing) to stifle it.
11 or more, no laughing
[[
I find it amusing that Nigel and Pinja are trying diplomatic avenues. Darien and Drako are like "Eh there's probably a fight coming, but let's see how this plays out." And then Grikiltha is just like,
]]
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
The second wererat's face flushes with embarrassment, her annoyance clear as she glares at Grikiltha. She clenches her jaw, her eyes flashing with anger as she tries to mask her humiliation. Turning her furious gaze to Nigel, she snaps, "Enough with the jokes! Toss me that stone, now! I'll take it to the boss myself." Her voice is a mixture of rage and desperation, trying to regain control of the situation.
Meanwhile, the first wererat bites her lip, struggling to hold in her laughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement at her companion's predicament.
Nigel:
Assuming you toss them one of the sending stones, tell me what is the message you'll send their leader. [Assume you are told she has received it.]
Currently DMing:
Nigel speaks into the stone.
"As duly appointed representatives of mountain toe mine. We request an audience in neutral territory to discuss this unlawful residence."
**This Space for Rent**
Nigel hears a female voice talk back:
"Understood. I feel like we owe the owners an explanation, at least. I'll come out with some of my crew. Armed."
Zeleen Varnaster emerges from the mine, her demeanor a blend of caution and authority. She doesn't look older than thirty, with piercing blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, the left side of which is shaved. The claw mark scars on her left cheek hint at a violent past. Five other wererats in their hybrid forms flank her, their eyes scanning the group warily. Zeleen's weapons are at her side, within easy reach.
As she approaches, she speaks in a calm, measured tone, "I apologize for the rude behavior of my subordinates." She nods towards the group, offering a slight, respectful bow. "I am Zeleen Varnaster."
She takes a deep breath before continuing, "Look, I know what this is about. But this mine is the only home we have now. Not more than a tenday ago, a group of raiding orcs busted into our hideout south of Conyberry town. With nowhere to go, I decided we stay here instead. Can you really blame us for taking a mine when our home was stolen from us? It's not like wererats are welcome in society, anyways."
As she speaks, a deep sadness washes over her expression, her eyes momentarily reflecting the pain of displacement and rejection. The wererats behind her, sharing in her sorrow, sniffle and get teary-eyed. Zeleen quickly composes herself, straightening up and maintaining her composed demeanor, her gaze steady on the group.
Anyone with a Passive Insight of 10 and higher:
Zeleen and the other wererats are clearly putting on a pity-party to leverage as much sympathy as possible. Aside from the terrible acting, she is saying the truth so far. Though there's definitely more to this story.
Currently DMing:
Drako listens to the sob story put on by Zeleen. He tries to be diplomatic but is growing impatient with the wererats' subterfuge, "And surely the fact this is a literal gold mine didn't factor into your decisions at all, no?" he says being forthright. "Where are the miners?" he asks.
[[ If possible, since we're not in initiative, he'll take a dodge stance as he speaks. ]]
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Pinja gives Nigel an appraising glance as everything unfolds, clearly impressed with his subterfuge skills. She can’t help but smile mirthfully at Grikiltha’s astute observations. She watches blankly as the wererats exit and their story unfolds. As their story finishes, her eyes narrow.
She nods as Drako speaks. Then adds ‘Seems a bit hypocritical to paint a sob story about loosing one’s home as justification for doing the same to the miners. Perhaps this is why you’re not really welcome into society…. Curiously, we came across some deceased orcs on our way here. Seems it might be best for you to vacate this mine and try to return home.’ She flashes a smile that shows her fangs.
"Our good friend here makes a fair point. If you did displace the original occupants then your tale would be quite hypocritical. Which means no matter what we ask, you will be forced to tell us you have no idea what happened to the miners. Addmision puts us in a position of having to force you out again. Either in the moment or after alerting the proper authorities and returning en force. Now before you count numbers and wage odds you should know I've already sent word to all parties concerned. Now if we reach a satisfactory resolution here I will belay that message and you can go on about your lives in peace. So here is my proposal. The second point my friend made is we did discover some dead orc. So why don't you start by describing the orcs that forced you out and how a formidable force such as this was defeated in their own home."
Challenges Nigel.
Deception check to see if they believe Nigel sent word. 18
**This Space for Rent**
To Drako:
Zeleen clicks her tongue, her blue eyes narrowing slightly as she responds to Drako's question about the miners. "Look, dragonborn, I did what I had to do. The miners... well, they weren't hurt, if that's what you're worried about. We scared them off, made sure they ran without looking back. We needed a place to stay, and this mine was the closest thing to a shelter we could find." She pauses, her expression hardening. "Survival isn't pretty, but it's the reality we face."
Anyone with a Passive Insight of 14 and above:
Zeleen's demeanor shifts slightly, and she seems to avoid direct eye contact as she talks about the miners. A clear indication of deception.
To Pinja:
Zeleen's eyes flash with a mix of frustration and resignation as she listens to Pinja. "Hypocritical? Maybe. But desperate times call for desperate measures. We didn't ask for this life, and we sure didn't ask to be driven from our home by those orcs."
She takes a deep breath, trying to rein in her emotions. "We took the mine because we had nowhere else. If there's danger around, all the more reason to stay hidden where we are. If you have any better ideas, I'm all ears."
To Nigel:
Zeleen's expression hardens as she catches Nigel's lie, a glint of realization flickering in her eyes. She straightens up, her posture becoming more assertive, and she stops avoiding eye contact. With a resigned sigh, she says, "Well then, by your own admission, I guess there's no point in continuing this facade." Her voice is calm, but there’s a steely edge to it. "I really did try to resolve this without fighting."
She gestures to her wererats, who tense up, ready for a potential confrontation. "But if we’re going to be honest, this mine is the safest place we have right now. And we’re not leaving just because some adventurers showed up with half-truths and threats."
Initiative
Map:
Currently DMing:
Drako will cast Shatter amd use his channel divinity to deal max damage.
24 thunder damage
Save DC Con 13 for half.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
Wererats:
Currently DMing:
Grikiltha will run in and strike at C with her pike (at 10') "Kabobs it is then!"
(Attack:9 Damage 12)
(Turns out she's better demoralizing!)
She steps back after trying to stay out of the thunderous spell Drakko did. Should have focus on the hit but didn't want to take that shot.
(She back in her original position)
As Zeleen speaks so dismissively of the displaced miners, Darien begins to get angry. The tattoo on his right arm grows warmer and warmer, until it's nearly burning to the touch, as if it wants out. It's all he can do to stay calm as Pinja and Nigel continue speaking to the woman, but when her soldiers surge forward, the half-elf is ready. As Drako summons a burst of thunder around the wererats, Darien extends his arm and the serpent moves, slithering down towards his hand and shooting out towards the soldiers as a line of nearly white-hot flame. Appearing in an explosion of fire the center of their group is a flaming snake, a hooded cobra nearly as thick as Darien's arm. Her tongue flicks out, tasting the air, as Darien shouts, "Zrava, to me!" The serpent's flames flare once more as it vanishes, reappearing just out of the wererats reach, and then slithers around Grikiltha to rest at Darien's side.
[[
A: Summon Wildfire Spirit to the tile in the middle of A, B, C, and F (10 ft. radius, 9 fire damage, DEX 13 save for none) (I think this misses both D and G but I think I need an open tile so it's a little different from shatter probably. If it gets one I would try to do the same one Drako hit)
BA: Fiery Teleportation (Creatures within 5 ft., 7 fire damage, DEX 13 save for none)
Zrava is teleporting NW (2 tiles diagonal = 15 ft.?) then using movement to reach Darien, who hasn't moved. If we aren't using that rule for diagonals, she will take one opportunity attack from C as she moves away.
]]
Grikiltha:
The attack was a miss, and moving back does not provoke opportunity attacks because of your reach.
Darien:
Map:
Currently DMing:
Pinja winces as Drako casts shatter, then seems a bit confused as Darien lets loose his snake. She watches the explosion, giving Darien’s arm and burns an appraising look. As Grikiltha rush forward she moves to follow with a tottering, unsteady looking run. She strikes D with an oddly mesmerizing sequence of blows. First a jerky right jab, then an odd kick with her left foot, and finally ends with a sharp headbutt.
[unarmed strike + flurry of blows - spending 1ki point;
22 for the punch, damage 6
23 for the kick, damage 3
18 for the headbutt, damage 4 (is there more damage due to the horns?)
i’m a bit rusty, so please let me know if I’m doing this right?]
Pinja:
Currently DMing:
Archie explodes from the leaves of the tree from where he had been watching the crew jump into action. He swoops down at wererat D. He darts back and forth causing a distraction
Nigel pulls forth his spellbook from his sastchel as he moves east towards Archie's tree. As soon as he has a clear line of site to wererat D he extends his left arm holding the book as if he were a cleric preaching the words of the ancients. He fixes the rat with a withering glare and shouts..
CHROMATICON ORBIS INCENDI
(Via sheet)
spell attack: 22
Damage:18 fire
**This Space for Rent**
Nigel:
Don-Jon Raskin:
Don-Jon Raskin had been watching the tense exchange between the adventurers and Zeleen with a thoughtful expression. He believed it was best to let the fledgling adventurers handle the situation, ready to step in only if things went awry. As the conversation took a hostile turn, and Nigel's chromatic orb struck a wererat, Don-Jon's resolve hardened. Without hesitation, he reached into his bag, pulling out a slingshot.
"Time to earn my keep," he mutters to himself, releasing the stone with a swift, smooth motion.
[ Sling to hit is a 16, dealing 3 points of damage to wererat D. ]
Wererat's Turn:
They've all suffered tremendously as a result of everyone's attacks, spells and abilities in general. They were not prepared for this show of strength, but the boss's orders are absolute.
Seeing Pinja at melee with one of their brethren, wererats D and B will gather around her to attack in unison.
If anyone has any reactios to help mitigate or prevent the damage being dealt, you may do so at this moment before anyone takes any further turns.
Map:
Currently DMing:
When wererat D sinks its teeth into Pinja, her eyes go narrow and she points her finger inciting hellish flames to leap out and engulf him.
[hellish rebuke - 12 damage]
Pinja:
I need Pinja to roll a constitution saving throw for each bite that connected.
Currently DMing: